U.S. patent number 6,746,179 [Application Number 10/084,734] was granted by the patent office on 2004-06-08 for system component, system and method for aerating of compost and the draining of excess liquid contained therein.
Invention is credited to Dirk M. Kerkhoff.
United States Patent |
6,746,179 |
Kerkhoff |
June 8, 2004 |
System component, system and method for aerating of compost and the
draining of excess liquid contained therein
Abstract
A system component, method of using, manufacturing and
installing such, which facilities both the aerating of compost and
the draining of liquid formed therein, utilizing a Especially
formed component having an extruded longitudinal projection with a
surface in which holes may be formed therein after embedding, in a
concrete floor, with the surface and holes substantially level in
the concrete floor so that fluids may readily either enter or exit
through the holes in the component. When connected to an
appropriate collection of peripheral supporting equipment,
accordingly a set of such components can be utilized to create an
efficient composting facility which permits fluids, typically air,
to be easily forced into or out from compost residing thereon and
excess effluent, typically liquid, which may be contained within
the composting material to easily drain therefrom.
Inventors: |
Kerkhoff; Dirk M. (Rosedale,
B.C., CA) |
Family
ID: |
32323632 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/084,734 |
Filed: |
February 26, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
405/45; 404/2;
405/41; 405/43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C05F
17/964 (20200101); E02B 11/005 (20130101); A01K
1/0103 (20130101); A01K 1/0151 (20130101); Y02W
30/40 (20150501); Y02P 20/145 (20151101); Y02W
30/43 (20150501) |
Current International
Class: |
A01K
1/015 (20060101); A01K 1/01 (20060101); C05F
17/02 (20060101); E02B 11/00 (20060101); E02B
011/00 (); E01F 005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;405/43,44,45,47,48,49,50,51 ;404/2,4 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Lagman; Frederick L.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Miller; Richard L.
Claims
The invention claimed is:
1. An aerating and draining component for embedding in a concrete
slab comprising: a) fluid transfer interface element, having two
side walls; b) a cooperating pipe; and c) a means for attaching
said fluid transfer interface element to said cooperating pipe,
wherein each of said two side walls, each have, a plurality of
transverse through bores formed there through substantially
perpendicular to an axis of the fluid transfer interface element,
so that a plurality of lengths of rebar can be inserted therein and
accordingly utilized as a holding and reinforcing component.
2. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein each of said two side walls, each have an upper first edge,
joined together by a short bridge element.
3. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 2,
wherein said short bridge element has a depressed dimpled groove,
so as to facilitate an effluent runoff path to enter any through
bores therein.
4. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein each of said two side walls, each have a lower second edge,
integrally formed and attached to a flexible curved cylindrical
section.
5. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein each of said two side walls, each have, an upper first edge
and a lower second edge, wherein an inner surface of each of said
side walls are not parallel to each other but accordingly are
further apart at their lower second edges than at their upper first
edges, so as to help prevent material from clogging a space between
said side walls.
6. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein said cooperating pipe is circular in cross section, and
cooperates with a flexible curved cylindrical section having a
substantially matching radius of curvature, integrally formed and
attached to a lower second edge of one of said two side walls.
7. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein said cooperating pipe has longitudinally formed a series of
slotted openings, which are separated from each other end from end
by a short connecting portion so as to maintain an integrity of
said cooperating pipe.
8. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is self tapping screws.
9. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is screws.
10. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is rivets.
11. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is cement.
12. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is thermal bonding.
13. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 1,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is chemical bonding.
14. An aerating and draining component for embedding in a concrete
slab comprising: a) fluid transfer interface element, having two
side walls; b) a cooperating pipe; and c) means for attaching said
fluid transfer interface element to said cooperating pipe, wherein
each of said two side walls, each have an upper first edge, joined
together by a short bridge element, wherein said short bridge
element has a depressed dimpled groove, so as to facilitate an
effluent runoff path to enter any through bores therein, wherein
each of said two side walls, each have a lower second edge,
integrally formed and attached to a flexible curved cylindrical
section, wherein an inner surface of each of said side walls are
not parallel to each other but accordingly are further apart at
their lower second edges than at their upper first edges, so as to
help prevent material from clogging a space between said side walls
wherein each of said two side walls, each have, a plurality of
transverse through bores formed there through substantially
perpendicular to an axis of the fluid transfer interface element,
so that a plurality of lengths of rebar can be inserted therein and
accordingly utilized as a holding and reinforcing component,
wherein said cooperating pipe is circular in cross section, and
cooperates with a flexible curved cylindrical section having a
substantially matching radius of curvature, integrally formed and
attached to a lower second edge of one of said two side walls,
wherein said cooperating pipe has longitudinally formed a series of
slotted openings, which are separated from each other end from end
by a short connecting portion so as to maintain an integrity of
said cooperating pipe.
15. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 14,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is self tapping screws.
16. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 14,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is screws.
17. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 14,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is rivets.
18. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 14,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is cement.
19. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 14,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is thermal bonding.
20. The aerating and draining component as defined in claim 14,
wherein said means for attaching said fluid transfer interface
element to said cooperating pipe is chemical bonding.
21. A method of installing an aerating and draining component
comprising the steps of: a) inserting a plurality of lengths of
rebar through transverse through bores formed in the side walls of
at least one fluid transfer interface element of said aerating and
draining component; b) maintaining upper first edges of at least
one of a a short bridge element, of said at least one fluid
transfer interface element, at a correct elevation so as to be even
with the surface of a concrete slab to be poured; c) plugging all
open ends of said aerating and draining components so as to prevent
any concrete from entering; d) installing required plumbing; e)
pouring said concrete slab so as to be even with said upper first
edges of at least one said short bridge element; f) allowing said
concrete to harden; and g) drilling holes at appropriate intervals,
of appropriate sizes, along a length of at least one said short
bridge element in conformance with a particular schedule as
required for composting a particular material.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to systems for aerating of compost
and draining of excess liquid which may be contained therein.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous innovations for draining liquids in various installations
have been provided in the prior art that will be described. Even
though these innovations may be suitable for the specific
individual purposes to which they address, accordingly they differ
from the present invention.
A FIRST EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,714,786 to Evans et al. teaches an
open slot culvert for positioning in a drainage area with the open
slot at the top so that any surface drainage water will flow
through the slot and directly into the culvert, including a method
and apparatus for its manufacture. The improved open slot culvert
comprises a metallic, pipe section, split longitudinally along its
upper side to form a narrow slot, and grate means, including two
spaced, vertical bearing members joined by spacer means, secured in
the slot. The method of making the improved open slot culvert
includes the steps of providing two elongated, parallel, vertical
members in spaced relation having a plurality of spacer means
therebetween, longitudinally splitting the upper side of a metallic
pipe section to form a narrow slot, and properly positioning the
grate means within the narrow slot. The apparatus for making the
improved open slot culvert generally comprises an entry pipe
station, a pipe clamp, saw and tack welding station, and a finish
welding and exit station.
A SECOND EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,778 to Erickson et al.
teaches an improved method for cast-in-place construction of a
concrete drainage conduit immediately below an integral concrete
floor surface, including floor surface, including a longitudinal
slot for discharge of surface fluids into said conduit. A
water-inflated, fabric-reinforced plastic tubular form and
longitudinal slot-forming inserts, used during the concrete pouring
operations, are later retrieved at one end of the conduit for reuse
following deflation of the tubular form. Conduits of non-circular
cross section may be formed if desired. This improved method is
useful for construction of drainage facilities for flushable
slotted floors for cattle confinement feedlots and for other paved
surface such as auto parking areas, roadway and airports.
A THIRD EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,374,078 to Richardson teaches in
order in a floor drainage trough installation substantially to
prevent gaps between the upper edge portions of the side walls of
the floor drainage trough and the body of concrete in which the
trough is set, such gaps resulting from shrinkage of the concrete
as the body of concrete is cured, strips of woven glass fiber
material are provided in the upper edge portions of the side walls
of the trough during the molding thereof, with closely spaced loops
of the glass fiber material of which the strips are formed being
coated with the plastics material of which the trough is formed
during the molding of the trough and outwardly projecting under the
influence of the inherent resiliency thereof by removing the trough
from the mold prior to the plastics material becoming fully set.
The loops are securely embedded in the body of concrete, so that
during the curing of the body of concrete the shrinkage thereof
causes slight splaying apart of the upper edge portions of the side
walls of the trough, thereby preventing formation of the
above-mentioned gaps.
A FOURTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,727 to Capuano teaches a
one-piece slotted conduit having a thin inner body section and an
encompassing frame structure. The encompassing frame structure
having specially designed recesses formed in it to ensure maximum
conduit strength and an economic use of material. The slotted
conduit also including male/female interconnecting ends which
ensure easy and accurate alignment of a plurality of conduits in an
interconnected system.
A FIFTH EXAMPLE, U.S. Pat. No. 5,316,410 to Blume teaches this
invention relates to the draining of foundations by using an
elongate subterranean drainage structure located approximately
horizontally and parallel to the foundation in combination with a
plurality of elongate upwardly extending hollow drain structures
extending from the structure toward the surface of the earth.
Hydrostatic pressure of water in the soil forces water through
holes in the upwardly extending drain structures. The water then
passes rapidly to the bottom of the upwardly extending drain
structures by the force of gravity and thereupon into the
horizontal drain structure wherein it is carried away from the
foundation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
AN OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a system
component, a system, and a method which facilitates both the
aerating of compost and the draining of excess liquid which may be
contained therein that avoids the disadvantages of the prior
art.
ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a system
component and a system which facilitates both the aerating of
compost and the draining of excess liquid which may be contained
therein that is simple and inexpensive to manufacture.
STILL ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention is to provide a
system component, a system, and a method which facilitates both the
aerating of compost and the draining of excess liquid which may be
contained therein that is simple to use and easily implemented.
BRIEFLY STATED, STILL YET ANOTHER OBJECT of the present invention
is to provide a system component which facilitates both the
aerating of compost and the draining of excess liquid which may be
contained therein, which is a specially formed component having an
extruded longitudinal projection with a surface in which holes may
be formed therein after embedding, in a concrete floor, with the
surface and holes substantially level in the concrete floor so that
fluids may readily either enter or exit through the holes in the
component. When connected to an appropriate collection of
peripheral supporting equipment, accordingly a set of such
components can be utilized to create an efficient composting
facility which permits fluids, typically air, to be easily, forced
into or extracted from compost, residing thereon and excess
effluent, typically liquid, contained within the composting
material to easily drain therefrom. A composting slab formed
utilizing a set of such components has the additional advantages of
being substantially flat without any spigots, spouts, sprayheads,
valves or other projections extending therefrom, which otherwise
could be accidentally broken off, caught on machinery and people,
and be responsible for a host of inadvertent associated
accidents.
The novel features which are considered characteristic of the
present invention are set forth in the appended claims. The
invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its
method of operation, together with additional objects and
advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following
description of the specific embodiments when read and understood in
connection with the accompanying drawing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
The figures of the drawings are briefly described as follows:
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view, with parts broken away
and partially in section, illustrating the present invention
installed in a floor of a typical composting area;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic view of the area enclosed by the
dotted curve indicated by arrow 2 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view, with parts
broken away, of the aerating and draining channel component taken
in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 2; and
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view, with parts broken
away, taken on line 4--4 of FIG. 2.
A MARSHALLING OF REFERENCE NUMERALS UTILIZED IN THE DRAWING 10
aerating and draining component of the present invention 12
concrete 14 floor 16 composting area 18 cooperating pipe 20 fluid
transfer interface element 22 side wall 24 side wall 26 short
bridge element 28 flexible curved cylindrical section 30 flexible
curved cylindrical section 32 upper first edges 34 upper first
edges 36 lower second edges 38 lower second edges 40 inner surfaces
of the side wall 22 42 inner surfaces of the side wall 24 44 series
of slotted openings 46 short connecting portion 48 opposite edges
of the slots 50 opposite edges of the slots 52 attaching mechanism
can be self tapping screws, rivets, cement, thermal bonding,
chemical bonding or any other appropriate securement 54 space
between side walls 22 and 24 56 plurality transverse through bores
58 plurality of lengths of rebar 60 surface of floor 14 62
plurality of appropriate holes are drilled at appropriate intervals
along each length of the short bridge elements 26 64 air pump
system 66 liquid containment area 68 depressed dimpled groove 70
liquid effluent 72 air, indicated by arrow 74 liquid to drain back
through bores 62, indicated by arrow 76 axis of the fluid transfer
interface element 20
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the figures, in which like numerals indicate like
parts, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, is seen diagrammatic
perspective views, with parts broken away and partially in section,
of the aerating and draining component 10 of the present invention
which is formed by attaching a fluid transfer interface element 20
to a cooperating pipe 18 which accordingly is appropriately
installed in a concrete 12 floor 14 of a typical composting area
16.
As best seen in FIG. 3 the fluid transfer interface element 20 has
two side walls 22 and 24 joined together at their upper first edges
32 and 34 by a short bridge element 26. Two identical flexible
curved cylindrical sections 28 and 30 are integrally formed and
attached respectively to lower second edges 38 and 38 of the two
side walls 22 and 24. The inner surfaces 40 and 42 of the side
walls 22 and 24 are not parallel to each other, but accordingly are
intentionally formed somewhat further apart at their lower second
edges 38 and 38 than at their upper first edges 32 and 34, so as to
help prevent material from clogging the space 54 between side walls
22 and 24.
The two identical flexible curved cylindrical sections 28 and 30
are utilized to attach the fluid transfer interface element 20 to a
cooperating pipe 18 typically which may have a cross sectional
circular diameter in the range of 4 to 8 inches. Along the length
of the cooperating pipe 18 is formed a series of slotted openings
44 typically about 36 inches long which are separated from each
other end from end approximately 4 inches, by a short connecting
portion 46 which maintains the integrity of the cooperating pipe
18. The two identical flexible curved cylindrical sections 28 and
30 may be formed with an appropriate radius of curvature so as to
substantially match the diameter of a particular cooperating pipe
18. An excellent fit between the curved cylindrical sections 28 and
30 and the cooperating pipe 18 may be had and is accordingly
facilitated because the curved cylindrical sections 28 and 30 are
somewhat flexible.
In order to form a length of the aerating and draining component
10, a suitable attaching mechanism 52 is utilized to attach, a
length of the fluid transfer interface element 20, to a length of
the cooperating pipe 18 with the series of slotted openings 44
directly below the short bridge element 26 with the opposite edges
48 and 50 of the slotted openings 44 placed adjacent to the lower
second edges 36 and 38 respectively. Accordingly fluids may easily
pass from the space 54 through the slotted openings 44 and into the
cooperating pipe 18. Both the fluid transfer interface element 20
and the cooperating pipe 18 may be fabricated from suitable plastic
material typically PVC (polyvinyl chloride).
The attaching mechanism 52 can be self tapping screws, rivets,
cement, thermal bonding, chemical bonding or, any other appropriate
securement techniques well known in the art.
Having described the structure of aerating and draining component
10 of the present invention, it is now appropriate to explain how
the component is installed in a typical concrete slab to be
utilized for processing material to be composted.
As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 a plurality of transverse through
bores 56 are formed, through the side walls 22, and 24
substantially perpendicular to an axis 76 of the fluid transfer
interface element 20, so that a plurality of lengths of rebar 58
can be inserted therein and accordingly utilized as a holding and
reinforcing component, for a set, of the aerating and draining
component. 10 at a correct elevation within a concrete slab which
is then appropriately poured about and around the set of the
aerating and draining components, 10 so as to form a floor 14 with
the upper first edges 32 and 34 of the short bridge elements 26
being maintained even with the surface 60 of floor 14. After the
concrete has hardened a plurality of appropriate holes 62 are
drilled, in appropriate sizes, at appropriate intervals along each
length of the short bridge elements 26. Naturally the ends of the
aerating and draining component 10 or appropriately plugged or
covered and all required plumbing is installed below the surface 60
of concrete 12 floor 14 as is required so as to fluidly connect the
set of the aerating and draining components 10 to an air pump
system 64 and liquid containment area 66.
When material to be composted is placed on the surface 60 of the
floor 14 so just described the composting process can be made more
efficient by aerating the material in accordance with a particular
schedule for a particular material. The aerating is accordingly
accomplished by pumping air, indicated by arrow 72, through the
cooperating pipe 18 through bores 62 which have been drilled into
the short bridge elements 26 and into or out of the compost which
resides upon the floor 14. The composting of material may cause
large amounts of excess liquid effluent 70 to be discharged
therefrom. Accordingly, in conformance with a particular schedule
for a particular material, the same set of aerating and draining
components 10 are utilized to facilitate the removal of effluent 70
by allowing the liquid to drain back through bores 62, indicated by
arrow 74, and into an appropriate liquid containment area 66. A
depressed dimpled groove 68 helps facilitate an effluent runoff
path to enter the through bores 62.
It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or
two or more together, may also find a useful application in other
types of constructions differing from the types described
above.
While the invention has been illustrated and described as
embodiments of, system components, and a system and method for the
aerating of compost and the draining of liquid contained therein,
accordingly it is not limited to the details shown, since it will
be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions
and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and
its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.
Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the
gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current
knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without
omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly
constitute characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of
this invention.
* * * * *